project-image

EcoQube C- Your Window to Nature

Created by Aqua Design Innovations

Plants filter the water. It's the most beautiful and low maintenance way to keep a piece of nature in any space!

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Introducing: The EcoQube C+
over 6 years ago – Tue, Oct 31, 2017 at 03:46:52 PM

Hey EcoQube Fans!  

Ok, ok...so there’s something that’s been on our minds lately. We’re constantly churning out new ideas for products here at ADI and always looking to improve! You might’ve heard from our last post that we heard your feedback for the EcoQube C and took it to heart.  

We’ve been asked countless times…  

 

And many of you have told us...  

“We want a bigger version of the Ecoqube C !!! :)”  

So…  

WE GOTCHU!!  

We are so, so stoked to introduce the EcoQube C+, a bigger and better version of the EcoQube C. Now, you can not only have a petite sized aquarium on your desk, but you can add the big brother to your collection.  

The EcoQube C+ is…  

 Nothing short of a glorious hybrid.  

 We’ve taken the best of all worlds of our latest trending products all exclusively launched on Kickstarter: the EcoQube C, EcoQube Air, and EcoQube Frame.  

It incorporates parts of these previous products that have worked well and been further experimented with. We’ve taken the filter from the EcoQube C, used the same water flow mechanism and pump tube for the filter from the EcoQube Air, and added seed pads and lighting modeled after the EcoQube Frame. We’ve strategically altered these parts to fit the C+ functions and ultimately, create a stunning product we are proud to present.  

 This is quite unheard of! It’s like saying you like the fries from In-n-out, the burgers from Five Guys, and the baked apple pie from McDonald's. You like bits and pieces of one place, and it would be a dream of yours if all these bits and pieces joined forces.

HEY WE’RE DREAMERS TOO!  

And though we don’t have power over the fast-food giants of our world, we CAN take the best of what we’ve created and spin it into a beautiful blend of what you’ve told us you’re in love with.  

 This is where tasteful aesthetics meets functional design.  

 

You’ve asked for the EcoQube C+ and we’re bringing it to you.  

We know you’ve been waiting for this day. Are you ready for all this greatness??

 We sure are. ;) 

Click HERE to see the EcoQube C+

 

 Cheers, 

 Anna

 Team ADI

Your Feedback ----> Reality
over 6 years ago – Tue, Sep 26, 2017 at 05:44:31 PM

Hey EcoQube C Backers!

As we mentioned in our last e-mail, aquaponics is something that has inspired us. The concept of a self-sustaining system led us to create the EcoQube C which you’ve seen; the classic ‘qube’-shaped window to nature that fits compactly on your desktop. When we launched it exclusively on Kickstarter in 2015, people were hooked. We had worked hard to create a simple yet durable product that reflected our values of sustainability and innovation.  

The EcoQube C was created for the city dweller, the stay at home parent, and the 9-5 worker in need of a refreshing piece of decor to light up their living and work spaces.  

Research shows that being surrounded by elements of nature will enhance overall wellbeing and productivity. The EcoQube C reflects this principle which is why at our very own ADI headquarters in San Diego, we have one at each work desk, so that everyone can enjoy looking at a happy ecosystem.  

Throughout the two years since we launched the EcoQube C, we’ve invited and received amazing feedback

There’s been a lot of love and some creative suggestions as well! We’ve been trying to keep it a secret for awhile...but it’s time we let you in on what YOU helped us create, once again.  

We’ve taken your feedback and designed a new prototype for a product that we’ll need your help in turning into a REALITY.  

Thanks to you and everyone that makes up the supportive Kickstarter community, we’re able to make a change.  

You won’t believe how much of a rapid fire whirlwind of months it’s been, as we analyzed all the feedback from the EcoQube C, blended it with our creativity and expertise, to bring you the best of both worlds.  

You asked for it, and we’re bringing it to you!  

So…..after all this talk, you must be dying to know what the product is.

And yeah, we know, who likes to be kept in suspense?  

But when we’re ready, we’ll share with you all the juicy deets that you’ll need to know, so that you can be a part of making this new EcoQube come alive!!! So set that notification on your calendar and be ready in a week when we announce what your feedback has turned into a reality.  

In the meantime, can any of you guess what we’ll be announcing?? Send your guesses over to me at [email protected]  

Happy guessing,  

Anna  

Team ADI

How could aquaponics turn your life around?
over 6 years ago – Thu, Sep 21, 2017 at 01:25:48 AM

Hey EcoQube C Lovers!

As users and owners of the EcoQube C, we know that you're highly interested in aquaponics. 

If you have any remote interest in nature then you’ll want to know a cool thing or two about aquaponics and fish. Aquaponics sounds like such a fancy word, but when you break down the word, the meaning becomes quite simple. “Aqua” relates to water and “ponics” relates to work or labor. When you combine the two terms, aquaponics essentially refers to a growing technique that combines elements of aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns) and hydroponics (growing plants in water and without soil) together in one integrated, mutually beneficial system.

  So what’s that to you?  

Well, you may not know, but aquaponics could be a part of a very real solution to tackle society’s environmental problems. Aquaponics grows food 30 to 50 percent faster, using far less space and 90 percent less water.  

It is a sustainable way of filtering water in large bodies of water, and even little ecosystems like the EcoQube C, the desktop ecosystem you helped bring to life, which creates happy fish and healthy plants.  

We made the EcoQube C to showcase firsthand the practical solution and beauty of aquaponics. We want to start a movement to use the same concept of sustainable agriculture to feed the world! We know that we can’t solve the world’s problems with an aquarium, no matter how beautiful it is, but we hope to connect people to our environment and influence the way they perceive the larger issues in our world today.

As active lovers of plants and supporters of building a sustainable world, we know that aquaponics would mean something to you because change starts on a small scale.

That change could start with you. 

We know as we learn about concepts like aquaponics we become better equipped to know how to incorporate these principles into our daily living!  

Cheers,  

Anna  

Team ADI

Keep Your Fish Happy & Healthy!
almost 7 years ago – Thu, Jun 08, 2017 at 04:15:47 PM

 

Hey EcoQube C Enthusiasts!

Life isn’t always easy--even for your fish. Sometimes, environmental factors and disturbances to the ecosystem can cause stress to your fish. So maybe your betta fish is looking a bit unhappy?  

There are many factors that could play into the mood of your fish friend, but we’ve got a solution that you can try out to increase the overall well-being of your fish. After all, you’d want to make life easier for your fish right?  

The unhappiness of your fish could simply be due to the fact that it is in a new environment. It may take awhile for your fish to get acclimated to different living conditions. In that case, it would just require some patience before your fish are swimming around with ease.  

We recommend that you wait at least 2-3 weeks to see if your fish adjusts well, before trying out these methods. If you sense that your fish is clearly disturbed, then you can take a look at the flow of water in your EcoQube. It is possible that the current is too strong, thus, causing stress to your fish.  

There are two low-cost options to help reduce the current/flow in the tank and make your fish more at peace:  

  • Use a betta hammock

 A betta hammock is like a resting bed for your betta fish. A hammock such as in the shape of a leaf is attached to a suction cup that you can stick to the inside of the tank. Much like hammocks that humans use, a betta hammock allows your fish to rest in an elevated position. To slow the flow of water, you can place the betta hammock right in front of the outlet. 

 (Image Source: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/BettaHammockLog.html)

  •  Create a baffle 

 Since betta fish generally live in tranquil waters, any disturbance in their environment can rile them up quite a bit. 

 A baffle is a sort of device that helps to moderate the flow of water from the filter. Baffles help restrict the flow of water/current and make for a better quality of life for the betta. You can place a baffle in front of the pump spout (where the output of water is) to reduce the impact of the water current. 

 You can simply create your own with any plastic bottle you have on hand. Cut the plastic bottle into a suitable size and shape so that it forms an arch over the pump spout. This should control the flow of water so that your betta fish can rest easier in calmer waters. 

 The EcoQube C is about 7.8 inches by 7.8 inches by 7.8 inches and holds about 1.5 gallons in volume. The pump spout can be found to the upper left of the tank and measures almost an inch. 

 Let us know if you end up trying these tips or if you discover any other ways to keep your fish happy and healthy!

Cheers,

Anna

Team ADI 

Check out these cool campaigns we've discovered!

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PIECE

 

PIECE is the future of Dual SIM technology. It is a tiny companion device that holds any GSM, EGSM, DCS, or PCS card, allowing you to add an extra number to your existing smart device via Bluetooth. CLICK HERE  

Creating a Crystal Clear Aquarium
almost 7 years ago – Thu, May 04, 2017 at 01:59:52 PM

Hey EcoQube C owners! 

As you've seen, the EcoQube C was created to be a self-cleaning aquarium that requires virtually no maintenance (save for feeding your fish). 

Some of you have reached out to us with questions about cloudiness in your EcoQube. We would love to share with you the most common reasons as to why this may be occurring. 

Sand and Soil  

 When putting sand and soil layers into a new tank, it can take a while for particles to settle down, especially soil, since soil has clay and silt aspects. For this reason, we recommend sand over soil, as sand is much heavier and sinks much quicker. Give your tank 2-3 weeks for the particles to settle, as the pump will agitate the particles already suspended in the water. If necessary, reduce the pump usage to allow for particles to settle more quickly.    

Chemicals  

 Chemicals that are usually added to aquariums are water clarifiers and dechlorinators. Though dechlorinators are recommended and usually needed to make public tap water habitable for fish, water clarifiers are not recommended. Water clarifiers tend to just hide the symptom, and end up adding chemicals that react to the chemicals that are in the water already. In the end, this throws off the balance of bacteria that help decompose the waste of your fish.  

Overfeeding  

 

Overfeeding will cause excess food to remain, leading to cloudiness because food particles are left suspended in the water. This will also result in a lot more ammonia to emerge, more than the bacteria can convert to nitrate. Remember to feed sparingly. A fish’s stomach is usually smaller than its eyes, so they should be able to completely consume all the food they need in under two minutes.

Overpopulation  

 Too many fish in a tank can lead to cloudiness. With more fish comes more food, and excess waste, which your bacteria colony will have a hard time converting to nitrate. Remember, too many fish in a tank will lead to stress, shortened lives, and increase the chance that your EcoQube will develop an algae growth.   

Clogged Filter  

  Check your filter. With a clogged filter, excess food and waste particles will stay floating in the water, making it look dirty and cloudy. Make sure the aquatic plants you have aren’t the shedding kind, as they will release their leaves, which will then get sucked into the filter. This will result in a lower/no suction rate.            

Tank Cycling  

"Cycling the tank" means that you are establishing a bacteria bed in your biological filter to remove the toxins that the fish's metabolism creates. Basically, with the fish’s waste, ammonia begins to build up. The whole point of cycling is to attract two types of bacteria: nitrosomonas and nitrospira. Nitrosomonas convert ammonia to nitrite (even more poisonous to fish) and nitrospira converts nitrites to nitrate (food for your plant and harmless to your fish). If you introduced your fish without your plant having taken root, then cloudiness is common.  

This is the reason we suggest letting your plant take root first, as plants can take up nitrogen in all stages of the cycling process to varying degrees; from ammonia, nitrites and nitrates. However, they will be happiest when cycling is complete and the bacteria are fully established because so many more nutrients become available at this stage.  

 These are the most common reasons for cloudiness to occur in your EcoQube C. Try out these solutions. If you have tips that have worked out for you, let us know so we can share it with the EcoQube community!

Cheers,

Anna

Team ADI 

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